58th Operations Group officer to receive General ‘Dutch’ Huyser Award

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

An officer assigned to the 58th Operations Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., will receive the 2019 General Robert “Dutch” Huyser Outstanding Aircrew Member Award in the navigator category, recognizing sustained achievement in aviation.

 

U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Single is an executive officer in the 58th Operations Group, which is responsible for all flying operations in the 58th Special Operations Wing, as well as executing the 58th SOW’s primary mission of producing special operations, rescue, nuclear security, and distinguished visitor airlift aircrew for eight major commands across the Air Force.

 

“I was both shocked and humbled to even be nominated for such a prestigious award – to be here at the schoolhouse, not at an ops unit, and win it. Winning it was absolutely amazing,” the major said.

 

The 58th Special Operations Wing commander noted and amplified the accolade.

“It is great when we can recognize the outstanding achievement of our instructors in the 58th SOW. We continue to get the highest-quality instructors from the operational units, and employ them in creating the next generation of operational aircrew,” U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Curry said.

 

Single’s responsibilities include assisting the 58th Operations Group commander in all administrative areas and supporting the growth of hundreds of Airmen, civilians and contractors.

 

He is also a former fixed-wing program manager and training flight assistant operations officer for the 58th Training Squadron, and an H/MC-130J instructor combat systems officer, flying with the 415th Special Operations Squadron. He instructed and evaluated student combat systems officers on directing a five-person combat crew prosecuting special operations missions in hostile, denied, and politically sensitive areas, as well as conducting night-vision goggle, low-level flying, helicopter air refueling, infiltration, exfiltration, air-drop and air-land operations in austere environments.

 

Single entered the Air Force in 2008 after receiving his commission from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at The Citadel, in Charleston, S.C., and earned his navigator wings at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in 2010. He has deployed three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. He previously served as an MC-130P navigator in the 17th Special Operations Squadron, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and the 9th Special Operations Squadron, at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Additionally, he served as an MC-130J instructor combat systems officer in the 67th Special Operations Squadron, Royal Air Force, Mildenhall.

 

Each year, the Airlift/Tanker Association and Air Mobility Command recognize individuals and units who have demonstrated superior leadership, made outstanding contributions to the airlift/tanker mission, and provided invaluable service to their civilian communities. The A/TA is an advocacy group for ensuring that American military forces continue to have the air mobility capability required to implement U.S. national security strategy. Selectees are recognized annually at the A/TA’s national convention. The organization announced on July 24 that because of safety concerns for partners and attendees, the convention and award ceremony will be virtual, held via Microsoft Teams, from Oct. 27-29, 2020.